First day @ Boys' Brigade

It is again that time of the year where all BB companies will try their very best to increase membership. This annual affair is called 'Recruitment' and this year, 3rd KL recruited from two schools, namely, SM Taman Desa and SM Sri Sentosa. For SM Taman Desa, BB has been in existance for more than 20 years and hence BB is no stranger to the school. In fact there is a BB Club there. As for SM Sri Sentosa, the BB is something really new to the students. 3rd KL did try to recruit from this school before, but it somehow failed. This year, the SM Sri Sentosa has once again given the green light to not only recruit but form a BB Club there.

January 26, was the day where the new recruits will come over to the YMCA, 3rd KL's homeground. Here is a short write up on that 'First Day @ BB'.

I walked into the YMCA hall and to my surprise I saw about 40 Boys in school uniform, that must be the recruits! Wow! Very impressive! If you add the current 80 over Seniors, that's over 120 Seniors! Wow, that will surely make the captain grin from ear to ear! In my decade as an officer in 3rd KL, I don't remember seeing such numbers before!

Anyway, as the Boys were busy preparing for parade, the recruits were given a guided 'tour' of the BB. This is the day where these young Boys get a good idea of the BB and decide whether they should come back again the following week.

As I was going towards the basketball court, that's where 3rd KL parade is held weekly, I met up with Mr Tan Chee Keong, 3rd KL's captain. Yes, as you can see in the photo, Mr Tan is one of those fine example of what a captain should be. Like all the Boys, Mr Tan too has to polish his uniform. I remember those times, when I was an officer, he as the captain would send the Boy back for not coming in uniform. Does he still practise that? Boys, do not test him!

Anyway, it was indeed a good day to have my camera with me. Here are some shots of the opening parade for the day.

After parade, it was time for singing and games. Ooops! Where's the uniform inspection? OK, maybe the officers got a bit excited about the recruits that they forgot to do the uniform inspection or perhaps it is not done anymore during parade time.

Singspiration & games. Yes, it is a time to sing some songs and play some indoor games, more of ice-breaker games. With the hall pack, I expected the singing to be vibrant but quite dissapointing, it was more of shouting then singing. Well, perhaps the NCOs were not prepared for such a crowd or they just got too nervous or they were just not prepared for it. Anyway, boys being boys, as long as they have their friends with them, they will enjoy themselves. I see lots of excitement as they played the ice-breaker games.

The session ended with a birthday celebration for all the January birthday boys. (Yup! One birthday cake for everybody!) Something that I believe is good to have. For many of these boys, having a birthday cake is a rare occasion, what more when hundred over people sing to you! I remember about ten years ago, some of us officers went out for dinner with a few NCOs and it happened to be one of the NCOs birthday. We arranged for a cake and when it came, I think he was almost in tears (of happiness). So, boys and officers, if you know of someone's birthday, don't forget to at least give him a call or buy him a gift or even better still organise something special for him. Remember it is not so much of 'what it is' but more of 'the thought' that counts.

After the 'mass' gathering, it was time to break up into various classes and the recruits, for the very first time experienced the captain's talk.

So, the day ended well but what next? Will all 40 stay on? A question, which only time will tell.

Well, the Boys' Brigade is not everyone's cup of tea. To those who stayed on, congratulations & welcome to the oldest uniformed youth organisation in the world. The BB will indeed be a very special experience which you will remember. Do not waste your youthful days, it only happens for a short period of your life. Enloy it and learn as much as you can.

Created on Mar 10, 2008